lantern lights listen
to the laughter of friends
while the table round
memories sit
rising
as if a séance of hugs
has brought the moon
to full
in a desert of open minds.

dated hearts of palm
become orchestral waves
amongst hands in motion
swayed
by years spent together
sharing stories
with the island spirit
of an ocean unseen.

crickets dance
to the music
of unaccountable martinis
on hand cut pathways
stoned
in honeysuckle madness
and 1930’s bungalow dreams
where hope springs
upon an era
lined with palms
no longer to be read
on a lost getaway
of ancient stars
found within
a colony
of forgotten sands eternity.

yet centered souls
surround themselves
some
like tarnished brass
the color of the wicked lamp
before them
while something smooth
scented
like kerosene
keeps the flame alive
when the fire of compassion
is lost
and the dim memory
of a globe and its people
see reflection
in a glass chimney
become soot
over oil
and darkened dust of time.

while mountains hold close
heated thoughts
melt down
as echoes of coyote
remain silent
in the moon’s debauched glow
and like a gypsy moth
far from my roots
I make my way around
the warming globe
in search of light
with broken wing
and a prayer
for my inevitable exodus.


© 2008 Copyrights of John W Leko
All Rights Reserved